Monday, January 4, 2010

Where haiku waits



ghosts of morning drift--

tenuous vapors of air

trapped in lake water





gnarled roots reach greedy

fingers deep beneath

the mirrored surface




I went walking--just a short break, a few blocks, perhaps, I told myself. I needed to stretch my legs after long hours at the computer. My feet kept going, knowing what my body needed. I ended up at a lake where haiku waited. I brought some images back to you with my uber-cellphone.


Here's what I have to report to Accountability Watchers. After proclaiming on this very site that my goal is to write 1,000 words a day on my novel-in-progress, Sea Daughters, I reached that goal two out of three days of this new year. I'm quite pleased because I am at a difficult turning point in the story and would probably keep trying to put it off had I not publicly set a goal. So currently 53,299 words of the first draft are written. Oh, and the day I didn't write was No-Kiss Blogfest, an absolute blast. A big shout out to all who participated and especially to Frankie Diane Mallis for hosting.

How were your first three days of 2010?

29 comments:

Yat-Yee said...

Congrats on your reaching you goal two days out of three. I am still at the reflection phase. Maybe I'll get somewhere by March or so...

Lovely haiku BTW.

Donna said...

Ooh, love those haiku pics & words. I'd say your first three days have been a whomping success.

Unknown said...

Your cell phone took those? WOW!! I love your haiku. It is so lovely!

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Are those seriously from your cell phone? They look like paintings! :)

I love the photo-paintings and the beautiful haiku.

Stephanie Thornton said...

Wow! You have a great cell phone to take pictures like those. I love the second haiku.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Thanks, Yat-Yee: Reflecting is a huge part of writing. I know what you can do and will do when ready.

Donna: It feels pretty successful and I want to keep it that way. Glad you like the lake in words and pix.:)

Nisa: Thank you so much! And, yes, that cell phone has got a magic camera in it. I never would have beleived the quality I get.

Shannon: Thanks! Yeah, really, from the phone, but now you've given me an idea. I forgot that my phone allows me to graphically change the photos into "paint" versions. I might just see what these look like in that format.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Thanks Stephanie! You snuck in while I was typing.

MG Higgins said...

Those photos are haunting. At first glance, I thought the object in the lower left corner of the top picture was an angel (as seen from behind--wings and blonde hair). And I thought those were curvy, swimming fish in the bottom picture.

Liza said...

I'm starting today, because I gave myself the weekend off and am feeling ok about 955 words on an unnamed project and my blog post. Love your photos, and your haiku even more.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Mel: If I'd run them bigger maybe it would have been more obvious that they are roots and leaves and shadows, etc. Thanks for enjoying.

Liza: Glad you like them--thanks! I know a lot of people stayed in holiday mode until today, but I feel driven this year, so I jumped right in. :)

Davin Malasarn said...

Beautiful. I really liked your first one, and the photo for the second one matches perfectly. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Very nice :)

My first few days of the new year went well for my writing. Now I'm back to work, so it won't be as easy to get time, but I'll keep plugging away at it!

lisa and laura said...

I love your haikus and I am shocked your cell phone snapped those shots. My cell phone barely makes calls anymore!

Unknown said...

What beautiful pictures and poems! Wow!

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Davin: Thank you so much, sir. I relish your words.

Jemi: Well, it's good you started off with a bang. Hopefully, you will find plenty of time despite work, but I know it's hard.

LiLa: *snort* I don't think my phone's audio is so good, but the camera makes everything else okay. I luv it. And thanks.:)

Beth: Ooooo, thank you so much!

PJ Hoover said...

I'm so glad your first few days were awesome! Mine have been super productive, though not in the writing world. For me, that starts tomorrow!

cleemckenzie said...

water spirits soar

like enraptured clouds above

and flower blossoms

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

PJ: Sounds like we're off to a good start!

Lee: Cool! I love that you joined me in nature poetry. :D

storyqueen said...

You captured something magic in those photos, (and of course I love the words!)

So, 1000 wds a day on Sea Daughters means you will finish it pretty soon...huh?

Congratulations on a magical and productive start to your new year.

Shelley

Linda Kage said...

I think I could sit here and read your haikus all day long. Beautiful. Thank you.

* said...

Love the haiku.

Nothing like public goal setting to get us off our rears! :)

My first 3 days of 2010 have been awful: I've had a dreadful headcold and is only now lightening up, thank goodness (in time for my birthday tomorrow!).

Best to you this week!!

Bish Denham said...

Congrats on reaching your word goals. LOVE the haiku and pictures.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Shelly: Thanks, my friend. Yes, I am trying to pair the magic with productivity, and if I can keep up my goal promise I will finish before too long. That's my plan and I'm sticking to it!

Linda: Wow, thank you so much!

Terresa: Thanks, and I do hope you get better really fast. Enjoy that birthday. I know 2010 will get better when you banish that cold.

Bish: I'm excited that it's going well, and thank you so much.

Julie Dao said...

What beautiful pictures and words! Thank you so much for sharing :) Congrats on reaching your goal, what an accomplishment! You will write many, many more words, I am positive.

Kristi said...

I just found your site and have to say I love the beautiful pictures and poetic writing! Congrats on meeting your goal!

I love good long walks!

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Julie: Thanks for encouraging words. Positivity is what we all need, for sure.

Kristi: Welcome, kindred spirit! Walking often brings me entire scenes and dialogue. Don't know why, but it opens creative doors.

Robyn Campbell said...

Oh man, you know what your haiku does to me. I'm thinking of trying some to freshen up my mind after writing all day. I bet it would work beautifully.

Great pics and I didn't get a phone like yours for Christmas, because I couldn't remember what it was. Say again? But I did get, (drum roll please) ANOTHER HORSE! Woo-hoo. Hubby says "You don't need another one," and shook his finger, but I said "I havta have him." So I got him and he is sooo cool. A Tennessee Walker. :0) Wanna come ride?

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Robyn: If I were your neighbor, boy would I come over for a ride! You lucky thing. You know you can tuck a tiny notebook in your pocket and take notes for haiku as you ride. I bet there is plenty of nature inspiration.

Shelli: A most happy 2010 to you, too!

Nishant said...

I'd say your first three days have been a whomping success.

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